Thanks!

From Cdr. Bob Akins of Windham VFW Post 10643: “The members of VFW Post 10643 thank all who supported and attended the 2011 Veterans Day ceremony. The occasion was special and the veterans in attendance felt very appreciated. A special thank-you goes to Dr. Richard Nickerson and the wonderful Windham Chamber Singers. They are truly a treasure to us all. The color guard provided by Windham Chief of Police Rick Lewsen and Mac Richardson of Boy Scout Troop 805 was truly professional. Food provided by Dinah Aldrich was enjoyed by all of the 250 in attendance.”

Well done!

As part of the annual “Freedom Is Not Free” VFW presentation at Manchester School, a special recognition was made to 4th grade teacher Mrs. Debora Luce. She received a certificate from the VFW post recognizing her 14 years of efforts in instilling patriotism and historic knowledge of the sacrifices made by fighting men and women. Her development of the Wall of Stars greatly contributed to educating children about the cost of freedom in United States. Well done, Mrs. Luce.

Happy Birthday, Teddie!

Windham resident Theodora (Teddie) Woodman celebrated hr 90th birthday on Oct. 29 at Thatcher’s with the following guests: children, Clifton Woodman and wife, Bonnie, of Alabama; David Woodman and wife, Diane, of Rhode Island and Nancy Marois of Windham; grandchildren, Woody Woodman and wife Beaux, Alison and husband Doug Drainville, Christina and husband Pat Bigelow, Keith Woodman and wife Sarah and Leigh Beth and husband Tommy Tippetts; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Alex, Charlotte, Leo and Elenore Woodman; Morgen Ray and Bella Tippetts; sister, Jeanette Rochefort and nephew James, of Rhode Island and brother-in-law George Woodman and wife Harriet of Westbrook; family friends, Frank and Sandra DeLuca of Windham; Pete and Cathy Manders of Alabama, Tony Ackerman of Windham and Oley Kline of Gray. Everyone enjoyed birthday cake at Clifton’s camp in Bridgton and many memories remembered and created at the happy event.

Vote for the Voice of McDonald’s

Raymond resident Anthony Dighello is currently in a McDonald’s singing contest called The Voice of McDonald’s and he needs your votes to move on. Anthony is one of 22 semi-finalists competing for three spots in the finals. Voting is open now at www.voiceofmcdonalds.com. To vote for Anthony, visit the website and click the button that says United States and then click the picture labeled Anthony Dighello. You can rate his performance, and the performances of the other semi-finalists on a 1 to 5 star scale. Voting will close Dec. 1 so get your votes in to support a local talent.

Christmas trees ?for sale

The Kiwanis Club of Windham Christmas tree sales start on Saturday, Nov. 26, in front of Aubuchon Hardware. These locally grown, fresh-cut trees are still $25; all proceeds support local youth projects.

Turkey Supper

On Saturday, Nov. 19, Cornerstone Assembly of God, Cottage Road, Windham, will host a turkey supper from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu includes turkey and all the fixings including plenty of homemade desserts. Adults $6; children, $3 and under age six, free. For more information, call 892-5980.

Presumpscot River program

The Presumpscot River, which forms one boundary line of Windham, provided waterpower to many mills since settlement began in the late1600s. Consequently, industries (saw mills, manufacturing) that used this power, resulted in villages and hamlets, schools, stores and churches. Sometimes towns evolved as a result of the water power. Learn more about how the falls of the Presumpscot fueled the creation of Windham at Windham Historical Society, Monday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. A Power Point presentation of “Falls of the Presumpscot” will be followed by refreshments and a brief business meeting. The public is welcome. There is no fee but donations are welcome.

Wizard of Oz

This weekend, Windham High School is presenting the classic favorite of all ages, The Wizard of Oz. The Broadway-style version is directed by Rob Juergens, music direction by Dr. Richard Nickerson and choreography by Venessa Beyland. See your favorite characters come to life on the stage – and Toto, too. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m.Tickets $11/adults, $7/children and seniors. Call 893-1742 for reservations or information, or e-mail: [email protected]. Box office opens 45 minutes before curtain. All performances at Windham Performing Arts Center, 406 Gray Road, Windham.

Book and Bake Sale

On Saturday, Nov. 19, Windham Public Library will hold a Book and Bake Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 217 Windham Center Road. The Preview Sale will be Friday, Nov. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., $10 fee for each person entering the building. Please hold all book donations until December, as the library is overwhelmed with donations and has no room until after the sale. Books on sale range from 50 cents to $1. For more information, call 892-1908.

Church dinner

An Italian dinner will be served on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 4-6 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 998 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call 892-3769.

Food Pantry changes hours

Windham Food Pantry/Clothes Closet, in order to better meet the needs of its clients, is changing hours effective immediately. There will no longer be any evening hours. Instead, the pantry will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Please call 892-1931 for an appointment.

Toy workshop

With only a few weeks until the Annual Toy Workshop to be held on Dec. 17 at the Windham Food Pantry, applications are now being taken from clients. The steep increase in the number of families using the pantry, and other families in need, make it very important to provide help. If you would like to adopt a family for Christmas please contact Madeline at 892-1931. She will provide you with a family of your choice. You decide the size of the family. Last year, 156 children under the age of 12 were provided gifts, and 67 teens were given approximately $65 in gift cards. If you are an organization, church, school, business or private citizen your help will be genuinely appreciated. Please do not hesitate to call with any questions. Applications are available at Windham Food Pantry for both Christmas baskets and the Toy Workshop. Help is also needed from those who have time to volunteer, or can donate gifts, gift cards (especially for teens) or by adopting a family.

Senior drop-in

The Lakes Region Senior Center at the former Little Falls School, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, email [email protected] or call Glenn at 893-9088, or drop in to see what it’s all about. New members are always welcome. Bingo will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 24 and 28. First card is free; additional cards are 25 cents.

Veterans help available

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23 to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302, on Memorial Drive, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center – to the right of Home Depot – a dirt, town road. No appointment is needed.

Thrift shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the church, on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner, regular hours are 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

Postcards from Windham calendar

Thanks to those who have already ordered the new 2012 Postcards from Windham calendar. Many of the postcards featured are more than 100 years old. This will be a wall calendar with squares on the calendar part suitable to write appointments, etc. The plan is to have them ready the first or second week of December. Readers who would like to reserve a calendar (or more than one), please send $10 for each, plus $2 for postage/handling to Kay Soldier, 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. These would be good gifts for anyone who has ties to Windham. A percentage of profits will be shared with the Windham Historical Society, earmarked for the Village Green Living History Center project.